Liquid cascade apparatus

ABSTRACT

A liquid cascade apparatus for use as an interior decoration consisting of a flat or circular corrugated surface which may be constructed from plastic panels or cylinders in which a supply of liquid such as water is evenly disposed from the top of the corrugated member and permitted to travel across its corrugated surface while the surface is illuminated with natural or artificial light. The movement of the liquid across the corrugated surface provides an ornamental decoration and produces pleasant and relaxing sounds.

United States Patent Pfeuffer Feb. 22, 1972 [54] LIQUID CASCADE APPARATUS [72] inventor: Anton Pteufler, New York, N.\.

[73] Assignee: Patent Service Corporation of America,

New York, NY. a part interest [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1969 21 Appl. No.: 872,249

[52] US. Cl. ..240/l0 R [51] Int. Cl ..F2lp 7/00, F2lp H02 [58] Field of Search ....240/10, 10.1, 2 L, 2 LC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,174,688 3/1965 Chatten ..240/ 10.1 X

Primary Examiner-Louis R, Prince Assistant Examiner-William A. Henry, ll Attorney-Allison C. Collard [5 7] ABSTRACT A liquid cascade apparatus for use as an interior decoration consisting of a flat or circular corrugated surface which may be constructed fromplastic panels or cylinders in which a supply of liquid such as water is evenly disposed from the top of the corrugated member and permitted to travel across its corrugated surface while the surface is illuminated with natural or artificial light. The movement of the liquid across the corrugated surface provides an ornamental decoration and produces pleasant and relaxing sounds.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDFEB 22 I972 I? flz'". m.

- ANTON PFEUFFER ATTORNEY LIQUID CASCADE APPARATUS This invention relates to a liquid cascade apparatus capable while the surface is being illuminated.

More specifically, this invention relates to a liquid cascade apparatus consisting of either a corrugated panel or cylindrical surface above which is disposed a, distributor for permitting a liquid to be recycled through the distributor and flow evenly over the corrugated surface while the surface is being illuminated.

In decorating a home, it has become popular to utilize recirculating liquid fountains which produce pleasant sounds, and provide pleasing optical effects while giving the illusion of bringing the outdoors into the home. Conventional devices for providing these outdoor effects, such as recirculating water fountains, are often complex, unreliable, and expensive; Moreover, these conventional devices suffer from the disadvantage in that they do not include any means for properly illuminating the flow of liquid over their surfaces while they are in operation.

Accordingly, the present invention provides .a water cascade apparatus having an irregular or corrugated surface which may consist either of a rectangularly shaped panel, or a cylindrical member which maintains the corrugated surface substantially vertical. The corrugated surface may be constructed from a transparent or translucent material such as plastic, and be colored or luminescent so that natural or artificial light can illuminate substantially all of the surface of the corrugated member. The source of artificial illumination is disposed along one edge of the corrugated member for use when artificial light is not available. Mounted along the top edge of the corrugated member is a liquid distributor which is connected through a pipe to a recirculation pump disposed adjacent to a catch basin at the bottom of the corrugated member. The pump and distributor permit a liquid such as water to be recirculated and distributed evenly across the surfaces of the corrugated member to produce an optically pleasant appearance for the apparatus.

It is, therefore, an object according to the present invention to provide a liquid cascade apparatus which permits a liquid to be distributed across a transparent or translucent corrugated surface which is capable of being illuminated.

It is another object according to the present invention to provide a liquid cascade apparatus which is simple in design, easy to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed discussion considered in connection with the accompanying drawing which discloses several embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is designed for the purpose of illustration only, and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawing, wherein smaller reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. I is a front plan view of one embodiment of the liquid cascade apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown secured to a wall surface;

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1 which is constructed to be portable for movement to different locations;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of a cylindrical-shaped embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of the liquid cascade apparatus of the invention having a corrugated or irregular surfaced panel supported substantially vertical or inclined against a wall 16 by means of posts 18 and 19. Along the top edge of corrugated panel 10 is a liquid distributor consisting of a hollow tube 11 having a plurality of spaced-apart holes 12 for directing liquid flow over the outer surface of panel 10. One end of tube 11 is sealed while its opposite end is connected to a vertical supply tube 17. The other end of supply tube 17 is connected to the output of a liquid pump 20 which is located at the bottom of panel 10. Along the bottom edge of panel 10 is a collection trough 21 designed for catching the liquid which flows along the corrugations of panel 10. An outlet 22 is provided at one end of trough 21 which feeds into the input of pump 20.

Connected above liquid distributor 11 is a lamp 14 which is surrounded by concave reflector 13 and supported against wall 15 by means of posts 16. Lamp 14 may consist of a tubular fluorescent lamp or incandescent lamp, and is electrically connected (not shown) to the circuit which operates pump 20. When pump 20 is activated by means of connecting line cord 41 to a conventional power source, and a supply of liquid such as water is added to trough 21, pump 20 will pump a steady supply of the water upward through pipe 17 to be distributed through holes 12 in distributor 11. The water will cascade downward over the outer surface of panel 10 and will have a tendency to adhere to the surface of the panel while it traverses the corrugated contour. The water is subsequently collected in trough 21 for recycling by pump 20. A chemical agent may be added to the liquid to inhibit its evaporation during the operation of the cascade apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown another embodiment of the invention which is designed for portable use and provided with legs 23 secured to the ends of trough 21. Legs 23 include pads 24 for standing on the floor and supporting the weight of the apparatus. The remaining components of this embodiment are otherwise identical to those described with respect to the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 5, there is shown a still further embodiment of the cascade apparatus constructed in the fonn of a beehive or cylindrical shape. Member 30 consists of a cylinder having a corrugated external surface, and is mounted on a stand 36 which includes a surrounding trough 35. Positioned within the cylinder, and near its bottom portion is a pump motor 40 which is connected at its output to a vertical tube 37. Tube 37 is extended through an opening at the top of cylinder 30 and is bent into a circle across the top of cylinder 30 to form a water distributor having spaced-apart apertures 32. In the rim of stand 36, adjacent to trough 35, is disposed a circular illuminating element 34 such as a circular fluorescent bulb which is designed to direct light through light transmitting lens 42 to illuminate the corrugated surface on cylinder 30. Light 34 is electrically connected (not shown) to the circuit of pump 40 so that when electrical line cord 41 is plugged into a standard electrical power source, both the pump and lamp will operate. Stand 36 also includes ventilating apertures 39 which permit cooling of lamp 34.

When pump 40 is activated by connecting line cord 41 to a standard power source, and a quantity of liquid is added to trough 35, the liquid will enter through a plurality of inlet openings 38 into the internal bottom portion of cylinder 30, and into the inlet of pump 40. Pump 40 will advance the liquid through tube 37 for distribution through holes 32 in distributor 31. The water will cascade over the corrugated surfaces of cylinder 30 where it will be collected at the bottom of trough 35 to be recirculated continuously. An additional source of illuminations such as an incandescent lamp may also be disposed within stand 36 below the center of cylinder 30 so as to illuminate internally, the corrugations of the cylinder during the operation of the apparatus.

The corrugated members of all embodiments which consist of panels 10 and cylindrically shaped member 30 may be constructed from transparent or translucent materials such as plastic, and may be clear, colored or luminescent as desired.

The portable embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be placed in or may be other types of liquids having low evaporation properties. The liquid which moves between corrugations on the panel or cylinder also creates a thermosyphonic efiect of circulating air and purifying it at the same time. The liquid may also be pleasantly scented with perfume as it recirculates over the apparatus.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid cascade apparatus comprising;

a corrugated surfaced panel member,

means for maintaining said surfaced member in an inclined position,

liquid distribution means disposed. adjacent to the top of said surfaced member,

liquid collection means disposed at the bottom of said surfaced member, and,

means for recirculating a liquid from said liquid collection means to said distribution means.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid collection means comprises a trough disposed at the bottom of said surfaced member.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said liquid recirculation means comprises a pump having its input connected to said trough and having its output connected to said liquid distribution means.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim'3 wherein said liquid distribution means comprises a tube having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures disposed along its longitudinal surface.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4 additionally comprising artificial illumination means disposed adjacent to said surfaced member.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said surfaced member is a corrugated cylinder.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said illumination means comprises a circular lamp surrounding said cylindrically shaped member adjacent to its bottom portion.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said trough additionally comprises supporting legs.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said illumination means comprises a longitudinally shaped tubular lamp disposed over the top of said panel. 

1. A liquid cascade apparatus comprising; a corrugated surfaced panel member, means for maintaining said surfaced member in an inclined position, liquid distribution means disposed adjacent to the top of said surfaced member, liquid collection means disposed at the bottom of said surfaced member, and, means for recirculating a liquid from said liquid collection means to said distribution means.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid collection means comprises a trough disposed at the bottom of said surfaced member.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said liquid recirculation means comprises a pump having its input connected to said trough and having its output connected to said liquid distribution means.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said liquid distribution means comprises a tube having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures disposed along its longitudinal surface.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4 additionally comprising artificial illumination means disposed adjacent to said surfaced member.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said surfaced member is a corrugated cylinder.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said illumination means comprises a circular lamp surrounding said cylindrically shaped member adjacent to its bottom portion.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said trough additionally comprises supporting legs.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said illumination means comprises a longitudinally shaped tubular lamp disposed over the top of said panel. 